Scavenger Chic

Make your own Wooden Vintage Sled

• By Joan
• October 28, 2018
• 8 Comments

 

When I attended the Christmas bazaar at  Chartreuse and Co last year I was struck by how many sleds they used in their decor.  Whether next to a fireplace, front porch or table centerpiece.  Decorated with wreaths, skates, greenery, bows, ornaments and lanterns.

Wooden sleds, toboggans, runner sleds and saucers.  Use at Christmas time or all year round, the choice is yours.

When I saw all the decorating with old sleds, my immediate thought was…I have an old sled. Mine would be perfect for holiday decorating.  It would be perfect if it wasn’t already attached to my wall.  And it’s not coming down off my wall any time soon, so now I need another one. 

My vintage sled has sentimental value and it’s just pretty darn cool.  My grandmother used it when she was a baby,  that’s her in the picture, and then my dad used it as well.  Check out my post from 2014 to see the old  pics of the  sled in action.

So first a little sled inspiration then I’ll show you how to make an almost genuine vintage sled.  If I know the source for the picture I’ve included it.

This sled was from Farm Fresh Homestead, though instead of a coffee table I would use it on a dining table.  Love the three matching pines.

This old sled coffee table was an Etsy find, though the sled is no longer available.

Wall decor for a mountain getaway.

Front porch decor from Postcards from the Ridge.  While there is a sled in the picture, imagine the sled loaded up with the same goodies as the wagon.

A fun and funky bathroom shelf from Donna at Funky Junk Interiors.

I know this is not a sled  (it’s a wagon), but you could get the same basic look with a sled.    Set it up as a centerpiece for a great buffet.

 

Now that you’ve seen all that sled inspiration, I know you just have to have one.

I could just recreate my dad’s old sled but I checked out the internet and found this old beauty.  

Gather up any old aged weathered wood you have sitting around.   I’m using pallet wood for the top, a 1×12 for the side runners and a few more chunky pieces for braces.  The only newish piece I used was a dowel, but even that was reclaimed…it just didn’t have the worn, I left my wood out in the rain look.

Take apart your pallet to harvest all that beautiful splintery lumber.  You can find how I dismantle a pallet here.

Draw your sled shape on the 1×12.  In a perfect world I would use a 6 foot 1×8  since the total length of the sled is 3 ft.

I’m a big believer in using what you have so since I only have a 5 foot 1×12, something is going to have to be pieced.

Cut out your sled and use that as a pattern for the second side.

 

I’m attaching my added on piece with a few Kreg Jig  screws.  OK, I know that doesn’t look very vintagey but it does keep it nice and secure.

Drill a hole the width of your dowel in the front end of your sled.  If you pile up both sides of the sled, you can drill both holes at the same time and your second hole will be perfectly aligned.

Cut cross pieces from your scrap wood based on  how wide you’d like your sled.  Mine are 12 1/2″

Now that you know how wide your finished sled will be you can mark where to cut your dowel. It should be from outside edge to outside edge of the side pieces.

Insert the dowel thru your predrilled holes.

Nail on the cross pieces as shown.  They should match up with the top of the side sled runners.

Lay your harvested pallet wood on top of the sled and mark your cuts.

Cut with a jigsaw and nail in place.

Sand all the edges and the pallet wood top.

Cut two  rectangular chunks of your scrap wood to use for braces.  Make one more diagonal cut from corner to corner and you have 2 braces.  Nail to the sides of the sled and the already attached cross pieces.

Cut a pattern for your hand holds.  When you place your pattern, avoid the brackets on the inside of the sled then trace the outline with a pencil.

I used a 1 1/2″ spade drill bit to cut the ends of the hand holds, then it was just a matter of connecting the holes with a jigsaw.

My nail gun made quick work of all the nailing but those cute little counter sunk finish nails once again don’t look too vintagey  (spell check tells me vintagey is not a word), so I followed  up all the nails with a bunch of regular, pound in with a hammer, hit your thumb, nails instead .

 If you have square cut nails, even better. Hey, we’re going for authentic, brand new, vintage sled here.

Darken any new cut wood with vintage wax.  Paint on and rub off with a rag.

I didn’t center the back brackets underneath the sled because I wanted to hide the kreg jig screws.

These are the tools you’ll need for painting…a rough cut piece of wood and a blob of red paint.  This color is “barn red”   by Apple Barrel paints.

Dip the end of your wood block in the paint, dab off any paint blobs if necessary then skim the surface of the sled with the wood block…Voila, instant old wood!

All ready for decorating.

I know I’m rushing the season but it’s not too early to start gathering  pieces of weathered wood.

Have a wonderful week, stay inspired.

Shared at Metamorphosis Monday,

Wow us Wednesdays, Salvaged Junk Projects, Talk of the Town,